Deli slicer and packaging system

ABSTRACT

An automated food slicing device is provided. The automated food slicing device may automate the cutting, packaging, and/or labelling of food items such as delicatessen food items. The automated food slicing device may also have a computerized input that allows a user to provide inputs regarding selected options which the slicing device will follow to provide a customized food product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to slicing devices. Moreparticularly the present invention relates to an automated deli slicingdevice that automatically slices, weighs, packages, and dispenses deliitems without the need for a human operator.

Description of Related Art

Current operations at present day deli counters involve a number ofassociates who manually serve deli items to each customer as requested.These associates interact with customers to determine the productselection, the quantity of product required, and potentially thethickness of slice preferred. Once the customer's order has beendetermined, the associate puts on a pair of gloves, selects the product,determines which of a number of slicers to use, and then sets up theslicer for the correct thickness. The associate then operates the slicerand produces the sliced product for the customer. Once the associate hassliced an assumed correct weight of the product, it is moved to a scaleand weighed. If the assumption is incorrect, the associate must returnto the slicer and create additional slices to correct the weight orremove slices to correct the weight. Once corrected, the scale mayproduce a label with the weight, price, and product information on it.The associate then places the sliced product into a bag and affixes thelabel to the outside of the bag. The associate then delivers the packageto the customer, completing that deli transaction. The associate thenreturns the product from the slicer back to a storage area and thenremoves the gloves.

While this process is a tried and true method, it includes a number ofsteps that are time consuming, inefficient, and costly.

Therefore, what is needed is a system that may automate the process ofslicing and packaging deli items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases,interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem,and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

In one aspect, a slicer is provided. The slicer may be part of anautomated deli slicing device. The slicer has a base which supports aconveyor. The conveyor passes over the top of the base and is capable ofmoving forwards and backwards in a reciprocating back and forth motion.A product carriage is positioned above the base over the conveyor and isseparated from the conveyor by a spacing. The product carriage isreciprocally movable between a non-slicing position and a slicingposition during a slicing operation. The conveyor is configured to moveforward and backwards to follow the reciprocal motion of the productcarriage during the slicing operation. A slicing blade is configured tocut a food product positioned within the product carriage. The slice maythen fall to the conveyor below. As such, the product carriage movesback and forth over the blade, and with each passage over the blade, aslice from the food product is created. By the conveyor following theproduct carriage, an even stack of slices accumulates as the stackfollows the slice being cut. Specifically, as the initial side of theslice lands, it is met by the moving stack, as opposed to falling on astationary pile which leads to improper and uneven stacking. In oneembodiment, the conveyor may fully follow the carriage through itsentire motion, in another embodiment, the conveyor may follow thecarriage only in the area where the slicing may occur. The slicing blademay have a releaser positioned on or by its rear face that is shaped tourge a sliced product off the blade to prevent a sticking of the productto the blade. Often, this releaser is shaped as a ramp—either angled orcurving.

In one embodiment, the base may further have a shaped portion that ispositioned below the releaser, this shaped portion is shaped to mirror ashape of the releaser. For example, if the releaser is an angled face,the shaped portion may be a downwardly angled face of the base that hasan angle approximately equal to that of the releaser.

In another embodiment, the base of the slicer may be vertically movablein a downward and upward motion away from a closer to the blade andproduct carriage. This movement may be an incremental movement downwardafter each cutting motion of the carriage. The increment of movement maybe the same distance as the thickness of the slice, such that the slicefalls the same distance every time regardless of the quantity of foodsliced. Once the slicing process concludes, the base may return to itshome position for a new slicing operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention inslicing operation.

FIG. 4 provides a side view of another embodiment of the presentinvention in slicing operation.

FIG. 5 provides a side view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention in another stage of slicing operation.

FIG. 6 provides a side view of an embodiment of the present inventionafter completion of slicing operation.

FIG. 7 provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention inpackaging operation.

FIG. 8 provides a side view of another embodiment of the presentinvention in packaging operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodimentsof the invention and does not represent the only forms in which thepresent invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The descriptionsets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing andoperating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

Generally, the present invention concerns a deli slicing machine thatmay provide automated slicing and packaging of a predetermined or inputquantity of deli items (typically meat or cheese).

The primary object of this invention is to reduce the time spent waitingto be served at a market delicatessen (deli) counter by automating atleast one of the cutting, packaging, and labeling of items that iscurrently handled manually. Other objectives of the invention mayinclude the reduction of some deli counter associates, improved hygieneby reduction of handling, less potential for accidents by reducing humaninteraction with the slicing process, and greater accuracy of deliveryof the weight requested by the customer. The methodology for doing thisallows the customer to select, for example, the thickness of the slices,the total weight of product to be delivered, and/or the number of slicesto be delivered. This action is performed via a touch panel on thecustomer side of the equipment. Entering this information, initiatingoperation, and removing the completed package may be the only customerinteraction with the equipment. On the working side of the equipment thecounter associate will be required only when the product or packagingmaterials need to be replenished. Also, associate monitoring may beuseful in the event that the equipment has some type of product relatedmalfunction, which is expected to be very rarely.

The present invention utilizes a conveyor that is movable both forwardand backwards and upwards and downwards to optimize the stacking of cutitems during the slicing process. This operation, coupled with theunique structure of the conveyor and base provide advantageousdistinctions from the prior art, among other unique aspects of thepresent invention.

In some embodiments, the automated deli slicer may have a computerizedcontroller. The computerized controller may comprise include aprocessor, memory, and an input system, among other aspects. Thecomputerized controller may be programmed or pre-programmed to controlthe various mechanical elements to operate the system and output apackaged, sliced deli product. For example the controller may beprogrammed to output one pound of sliced ham.

In further embodiments, the automated deli slicer of the presentinvention may be in communication with a computerized interface. Thisinterface may be consumer-facing in some embodiments, or may be operatedby a dedicated operator in either retail or non-retail settings. In oneembodiment, the computerized interface may be a touch screen allowingthe user (deli customer, associate, etc.) to select a type of deliproduct (for example a meat item or cheese item) and the weight ornumber of slices desired. In some cases the user may also select slicethickness. Once input, the user may initiate operation of the slicer, orthis operation may begin as soon as all information is received. Oncethe slicer has completed the operation, the system will output apackaged, labeled and sliced product as input by the user.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective and side view of anembodiment of the present invention is provided. The slicer has a base10 with a conveyor 12 mounted thereon.

The conveyor may move an item resting on it forward and backwards alongthe top length of the base 10, as controlled by motor 11. The base 10also has a nose 20 at a front end, and shaped portion shown here as asloping portion 14 at the opposite end. The sloping portion 14 isstructured to be parallel to, or approximately parallel to (+/−15degrees) the sloped releaser 17 which operates to urge sliced productoff of a rear of the slicing blade 16. The belt 12 passes over the topsurface of the base 10 including the sloping portion 14, a flat centralarea, and the nose 20.

A deli product carriage 19 b holds a quantity of non-sliced deli product19 a. This carriage is configured for reciprocating back and forthmovement (using a motive source such as a motor (not shown), forexample) over blade 16 to achieve slicing. The spacing between a bottomof the product 19 a and blade 16 determines the thickness of the slice,and may be adjustable by control of the position of product supportplate 18. Accordingly, in some embodiments, product support plate 18 maybe movable, either manually or through an automated mechanism controlledby the computerized controller.

In some embodiments, a scale may be included anywhere on the device toweigh the quantity of sliced product. This scale may be in communicationwith the computerized controller, which may use the input from the scaleto control slicing operation stopping once a selected weight has beensliced. In a particular embodiment, the scale may be positioned on thecarriage 19 b and support plate 18 assembly. In this embodiment, thescale may measure the difference in weight of the product 19 a beforeslicing started and after slicing has completed and/or after each slicemotion.

In other embodiments, a slice counter may be utilized to measure theamount of product sliced. The slice counter may be in communication withthe computerized controller, which may use its input to control slicingoperation. The slice counter may be any structure capable of countingslices. For example, slice count may be monitored by revolutions of thecarriage motion. In another embodiment, an optical sensor may be used tocount slices. In still another embodiment, base position and movementmay be used to count slices.

Blade 16 may be any cutting solution, but in the embodiment shown is arotating circular blade 16 rotated by motor 15. Closely below the blade16 is a sloped releaser 17 which is angled downward and serves to urgeeach slice off the rear of the blade. It should be understood that anysort of releasing structure may be used to release a sticking productfrom the blade without straying from the scope of the present invention.Upon a slice being released from the rear of the blade 16, it will falla short distance across spacing 13 at least partially onto the slopingportion 14. In varying embodiments, anywhere from approximately 5-100%of the area of the slice may rest initially on this portion 14 afterslicing.

In operation, as will be demonstrated with discussion below ofadditional figures, the conveyor 12 moves so as to mirror thereciprocating movement of the carriage 19 b. Accordingly, after a firstslice is received by the downward angled face, it will be moved forwardtowards the nose 20 of the base 10 in alignment with the carriage 19 band product 19 a. When the carriage 19 b moves back towards the blade 16for an additional slice, the conveyor 12 also moves back, such that asthe next slice is cut, it is dropped onto the slice already on theconveyor 12. Further, the base 10 is positioned on a mechanismconfigured to move downward incrementally one slice width at a time,allowing the space 13 between the releaser 17 and blade 16 to be thesame each time a slice is cut. This may allow for optimal and controlledstacking of the slices.

A packaging portion of the automated deli slicer may be positionedslightly beyond the nose 20 of the base 10. The packaging portionincludes a delivery tray 25 which receives the stack of sliced deliproduct once sliced. A hinge 26 in this embodiment allows the deliverytray to swing downward thereby releasing the sliced deli product oncepackaged. However, any other release and or delivery mechanisms may beused without straying from the scope of the present intention. A threesided backup seal 24 is formed on the top of the delivery tray 25. Forpackaging, a quantity of film 21 is positioned on two rollers above andbelow the tray 25. A three sided seal bar 23 is positioned above thedelivery tray 25. In operation, a quantity of sliced deli product may bepassed into the film 21, which envelops the product. The seal bar 23then closes onto the backup seal 24, cutting the film 21, and alsore-connecting it, the seal bar 23 also seals the product in a four sidedbag. Once bagged, the delivery tray 25 swings downwardly about hinge 26,releasing the packaged and sliced product.

FIGS. 3-5 provide views of the present invention in operation at variousstages of the slicing process. FIG. 3 provides a view of the slicerafter a first slice 27 has been cut. The slice falls on the slopingportion 14 and rests on the conveyor 12. When the advance of thecarriage 19 b is complete, both the conveyor 12 and carriage 19 b stop.The carriage 19 b returns to the start position and the conveyor 12follows this movement. As the deli product 19 a retracts, the conveyor12 and slice 27 resting on it moves to mirror the product 19 a above. Asthe next slice is cut, the conveyor 12 similarly moves to mirror theuncut product 19 a to keep the slice 27 below it at all times. Thisoperation may, among other advantages, provide for a reliable and evenstack of slices. Further, as indicated by the downward arrow, for eachslice that is cut, the base 10 moves down incrementally by the thicknessof each slice 27. So for example if the slice is ⅛ inch thick, the base10 moves downward away from the blade 16 by ⅛ inch each time the slicingis done. In one embodiment, the movement may be initiated by theposition of the carriage 19 b. The slicer carriage 19 b and conveyor 12continue in this fashion until the required weight or number of sliceshas been delivered to the conveyor 12. In this way, the stack of slicedproduct is very uniform.

As seen in FIG. 4, as the carriage 19 b moves back away from blade 16,the conveyor 12 and the stack of slices 27 thereon follows. As the stackof slices 27 accumulates, the conveyor 12 tracks the motion of thecarriage 19 b to ensure the slices 27 accumulate evenly and with littleto no distortion. In a particular embodiment, the slicer may beconfigured to automatically insert a sheet of, for example, paper,plastic, and the like, between each slice.

FIG. 5 provides a view of the automated deli slicer after cutting anumber of slices. As can be seen the stack of slices 27 has accumulatedin an even fashion. Further, base 10 has moved downward away from theblade incrementally slice width by slice width. Conveyor 12 willcontinue to move so that stack of slices 27 follows the carriage 19 buntil the slicing has completed.

FIGS. 6-8 provide views of the operation of the packaging portion of thepresent invention. FIG. 6 provides a view of stack of slices 27 afterthe slicing has completed. The conveyor 12 has moved the stack of slices27 to the nose 20 of the base 10. The carriage 19 b has returned to a“home” resting position when not in use. The base 10 is moved back up toits initial starting position closer to the blade 16.

FIG. 7 shows operation of an extending nose feature of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, nose 20, along with conveyor 12 and stackof slices 27 extends outwardly into the film to deliver the completedstack to the delivery tray 25. The conveyor 12 may then slowly move asthe nose 20 retracts, causing the stack of slices 27 to be depositedonto the delivery tray 25. It should be understood at this point thatthe film 21 has enveloped the stack of slices 27. In some embodiments, ablocker bar 70 may extend from the nose 20. The blocker bar is used tohold the film 21 away from the front of the nose 20 which has theconveyor 12 moving over it. This prevents film 21 from sticking toconveyor 12 and being caught and drawn excessively by conveyor 12movement. Once the stack of slices 27 has been transferred to the tray25 and the nose 20 is retracted, seal bar 23 may move downward and sealover the film 21, simultaneously forming a bag, and also joining thefilm layers back together to make a continuous sheet.

FIG. 8 provides a view of the stack of slices 27 of sliced deli productpackaged in a bag 80 that is fully sealed. An optional labeling machine,such as a coding and tagging device (not shown) controlled by thecomputerized controller may create and place a label containing theproduct, weight, barcode, and/or price information on the bag,identifying its contents (not shown). The computerized controller mayreceive information such as a weight of the deli product from the scale,which may be, in this embodiment, in communication with the computerizedcontroller. As shown in broken lines, the tray 25 may swing about hinge26, releasing the bag 80 from the automated deli slicer. The slicer isagain ready to cut and package the next order.

While several variations of the present invention have been illustratedby way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparentthat further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scopeof the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, itis to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptationsare within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and areinclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as setforth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A slicer comprising: a base, the base supportinga conveyor, the conveyor passing over at least part of a top of the baseand capable of moving in a forward and backwards direction; a productcarriage positioned above the base over the conveyor, separated from theconveyor by a spacing, the product carriage reciprocally movable betweena non-slicing position and a slicing position during a slicingoperation; a slicing blade configured to cut a food product positionedwithin the product carriage into a slice as the product carriage ismoved to the slicing position; a releaser adjacent to the slicing bladeshaped to urge a sliced product off the blade to prevent a sticking ofthe product to the blade; wherein the conveyor is configured totranslate forward and backwards to follow the reciprocal motion of theproduct carriage during the slicing operation; and a shaped portion ofthe base below the releaser shaped to mirror a shape of the releaser,the conveyor passing over a flat front portion of the base and theshaped portion of the base.
 2. The slicer of claim 1 wherein the base ismovable in a downward motion away from the blade and product carriage,the base configured to move downward incrementally after each reciprocalmovement of the product carriage during the slicing operation.
 3. Theslicer of claim 2 wherein the incremental downward movement increment isequal to a slice thickness.
 4. The slicer of claim 1 further comprisinga packaging assembly configured to package a quantity of sliced foodproduct and dispense the packaged quantity of sliced food product from adelivery tray.
 5. The slicer of claim 4 wherein the packaging assemblycomprises a plastic film wrapped about two rollers, the rollersseparated by a spacing, the film crossing the spacing and positioned toenvelop the quantity of sliced food product, and comprising a seal barthat cuts and seals the plastic film about the quantity of sliced foodproduct forming a packaged food product.
 6. The slicer of claim 5further comprising a labeling machine configured to apply a label to thepackaged food product.
 7. The slicer of claim 4 wherein the basecomprises an extendable nose, the extendable nose moveable from a firstretracted position, to a second extended position, the conveyorpositioned over the nose, the nose, when in the extended position, beingabove the delivery tray.
 8. The slicer of claim 1 further comprising ascale positioned on the product carriage, the scale configured to weighthe food product positioned in the product carriage.
 9. The slicer ofclaim 1 further comprising a computerized controller, the computerizedcontroller configured to control operation of the slicer, the operationof the slicer comprising the reciprocal movement of the product carriageand following movement of the conveyor for a predetermined period tocreate a quantity of sliced food product.
 10. he slicer of claim 9further comprising a computerized input device in communication with thecomputerized controller, the computerized input device configured toreceive an input relating to the slicer operation, the computerizedcontroller configured to receive the input and operate the slicer forthe predetermined period, the predetermined period based on the input.11. The slicer of claim 1 wherein the shaped portion of the basecomprises a downward sloping portion which slopes away from the bladeabove the base.
 12. A slicer comprising: a base, the base supporting aconveyor, the conveyor passing over at least part of a top of the baseand capable of moving in a forward and backwards direction; a productcarriage positioned above the base over the conveyor, separated from theconveyor by a spacing, the product carriage reciprocally movable betweena non-slicing position and a slicing position during a slicingoperation; a slicing blade configured to cut a food product positionedwithin the product carriage into a slice as the product carriage ismoved to the slicing position; a releaser adjacent to the slicing bladeshaped to urge a sliced product off the blade to prevent a sticking ofthe product to the blade; wherein the conveyor is configured totranslate forward and backwards to follow the reciprocal motion of theproduct carriage during the slicing operation; and wherein the base ismovable in a downward motion away from the blade and product carriage,the base configured to move downward incrementally after each reciprocalmovement of the product carriage during the slicing operation.
 13. Theslicer of claim 12 wherein the incremental downward movement incrementis equal to a slice thickness.
 14. The slicer of claim 12 furthercomprising a packaging assembly configured to package a quantity ofsliced food product and dispense the packaged quantity of sliced foodproduct from a delivery tray.
 15. The slicer of claim 14 wherein thepackaging assembly comprises a plastic film wrapped about two rollers,the rollers separated by a spacing, the film crossing the spacing andpositioned to envelop the quantity of sliced food product, andcomprising a seal bar that cuts and seals the plastic film about thequantity of sliced food product forming a packaged food product.
 16. Theslicer of claim 15 further comprising a labeling machine configured toapply a label to the packaged food product.
 17. The slicer of claim 14wherein the base comprises an extendable nose, the extendable nosemoveable from a first retracted position, to a second extended position,the conveyor positioned over the nose, the nose, when in the extendedposition, being above the delivery tray.
 18. The slicer of claim 12further comprising a scale positioned on the product carriage, the scaleconfigured to weigh the food product positioned in the product carriage.19. The slicer of claim 12 further comprising a computerized controller,the computerized controller configured to control operation of theslicer, the operation of the slicer comprising the reciprocal movementof the product carriage and following movement of the conveyor for apredetermined period to create a quantity of sliced food product. 20.The slicer of claim 19 further comprising: a computerized input devicein communication with the computerized controller, the computerizedinput device configured to receive an input relating to the sliceroperation, the computerized controller configured to receive the inputand operate the slicer for the predetermined period, the predeterminedperiod based on the input; a scale positioned on the product carriage,the scale configured to weigh the food product positioned in the productcarriage, the scale in communication with the computerized controller,and configured to provide an output to the computerized controller, thecomputerized controller configured to automatically convert the outputof the scale to a weight; a labeling machine configured to apply a labelto the packaged food product, the labeling machine in communication withthe computerized controller; and wherein the computerized controller isconfigured to control the labeling machine to provide a weight outputand a price output based on the weight, the weight output and priceoutput being marked on the label.